Call it TV’s version of the sophomore slump.
Of the six series (four dramas, two comedies) that have returned for their second seasons thus far, only one, “Chicago Fire” (NBC), is performing better than it did in its freshman season.
Others, including “Revolution” and “The Neighbors”? Not so much.
“Fire,” which follows a group of Chicago firefighters and paramedics, has averaged 8.1 million viewers through the first five weeks of this fall season, according to Nielsen — up 29 percent from the 6.3 million viewers it averaged in the early weeks of Season One.
That’s due largely to NBC upgrading the timeslot for the second-season of the drama, executive-produced by “Law & Order” mastermind Dick Wolf — airing it behind “The Voice’s” Tuesday-night results show (which averages 13 million viewers).
LOOKS BLEAK: Elizabeth Mitchell and Billy Burke in “Revolution.” Last fall, “Fire” followed “Law & Order: SVU” on Wednesdays, where it had a lead-in of only 6.7 million viewers.
That’s good news for NBC’s already-ordered spinoff — “Chicago PD” — scheduled to debut in midseason.
Among other second-year shows, the picture is not as rosy. Timeslot moves for two other series — “Revolution” and “The Neighbors” — have had a stunting effect.
“Revolution” (NBC), which had a strong early start last fall following “The Voice” on Mondays, has shed 34 percent of its audience in its relocation to Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
“The Neighbors” (ABC) has fallen to 4 million viewers on Fridays — a 39 percent dropoff from last season, when it averaged 6.6 million on Wednesdays.
Even those shows staying put haven’t posted steady numbers.
“The Mindy Project” (Fox) has slid 30 percent to 2.8 million viewers with its lead-in, “New Girl,” also down.
ABC’s soapy country music drama “Nashville” has also struggled in its sophomore year, averaging 5.9 million viewers — a dip of 20 percent from a year ago.
And “Elementary” (CBS) has fallen 19 percent to 9.2 million viewers leading out of a comedy — “Two and a Half Men.” Last season it led out of a drama (“Person of Interest”).
While “Elementary” and “Nashville” make up those losses with seven days of DVR viewing factored in, their overnight declines are still notable — since networks are looking for their second-year shows to grow into longterm players that can launch new series.